I Heart Pickles.

Annabelle and I have a lot of things in common. Aside from her desire to be the center of attention and love of music, we share the love of all things pickled. While we love pickled okra, pepperoncini peppers, and green olives (she likes the black ones), our favorite are just plain pickles. She hasn't developed a mature palate for them yet so she likes them sweet, bread and butter, or Kosher dill and any brand that puts them in a jar, bucket, or pouch. I, on the other hand, prefer a distinct few in a class on their own. I do not like midgets (pickles, that is) or sweet pickles at all. I don't like pickles that have too much turmeric or dill. And I'm partial to only one type of Kosher dill. I have been eating pickles for a very long time. I used to keep the juice and drink it ice cold on a hot day. I don't trust my blood pressure medicine alone these days, so I've given up that habit, but I cannot give up pickles.

I have tasted hundreds of brands and some that are even in a plastic pouch found at Raceway gas stations around the country. And I'm not ashamed. I will try new brands every now and then, but I have my preference and my wife has memorized them whenever I start getting forgetful. 

So, which ones do I like? My top three are below and I guarantee if you like pickles or love them like me, you will love these that I've chosen. So why have I dedicated an entire blog about pickles? Because I can.

#1---Best Maid. This is my new favorite within the last week. They are cheap, sold by the gallon, and go great with a side of Pokeno with the family.

#2---Cajun Chef. This one should be #1 1/2, but Best Maid officially took over 1st place this past weekend. Cajun Chef is sold where I could spend the day shopping, Fresh Pickin's in Lafayette, LA.

#3---Claussen. This pickle has been in my top 3 for a while because when I used to grocery shop as a bachelor I could open these in my truck on the way home because they were already refrigerated. This is also the only Kosher pickle I like.

And there it is. A few other rules I have for eating pickles are:

1. Never eat them at room temperature.

2. Never share a whole pickle because you will always want the other half. Pickle envy ain't pretty.

3. Pickle in a pouch is pretty good, but only the Big Poppa. It should be the Hot Mama. But it is what it is.

4. Pickles are best whole, but hamburger slices are OK. Never slice a whole pickle unless you're waiting for a tooth to fall out or if you don't have any teeth at all.

5. Pickles are best at the movies with a side of sour gummy worms.

I'll take a venti cup of success, please.

We all want to be successful, right?  I often hear the same question at many seminars and training sessions, "How do you know that you are successful?" It really depends on how you look at life.

Some people find their success in the money they earn or the job title they carry. Others take pride in their car, boat, camp, etc. You get the picture. Others may find that being successful  is being a good father or mother and/or husband or wife. Even being a good sister, brother, aunt, or uncle might make you feel successful at being a good person. Even better, if the veins in your neck don't bulge out when you zip your pants or bend to tie your shoes....success!

While I take my career very seriously and strive to be the best I can be, it is not the center of my life. I am successful in many other ways. I measure my success if I get a good night kiss before bed. If I get two, I am very successful. I also feel successful whenever Annabelle and I have a deep discussion (usually before bed that lasts for an hour or so) and it ends with her hugging me letting me know that she appreciates my time. I feel that our conversation was a success because she got it. I also feel successful and confident that I have found the person God intended for me to marry and to share the rest of our lives. I know that I am successful man because I try and put God above everything. When my plans don't succeed, I just try again.

I read a quote the other day and it stated, "A father has pictures of his kids where he used to carry his money." I truly believe in that, but I have all my pictures displayed on my desk instead. I want everyone who visits my office to see where my success really lives. It lives in choosing for me and my house to serve God. It lives in knowing that while not perfect, I am striving to be the best Dad and husband that God wants me to be. I put them on my desk in front of me to remind me what's really important and what should be top priority. I will remain successul as long as I try to live in God's perfect will and put others before myself. It's not always easy trying to be my best and sometimes I fall down or fall short of what I've set out to accomplish. I just get back up. I cannot stay down. Because I know that God wants only the best for me.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

One pebble and a lot of faith.

For several years now I have kept a calendar on my desk at work that I read every day. I usually read it before I begin to get focused for the day. Four years in a row, I read one titled "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado. The entire calendar is about David in the Bible. It is not an easy read because our giants are pretty ugly. The longer they've held you captive, the uglier they become. Your giant may be bills you can't pay, people you can't please or habits you can't break. But just like David, you can face your giant, even if you aren’t the strongest, the smartest, the best equipped, or the holiest. I have never used the teachings from that calendar for my struggle with weight loss until now. Why? Lack of discipline, confidence, and focus. Plenty of doubt, guilt, shame, and fear of failure.

David. You could read his story and wonder what God saw in him. He fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he conquered. He sounds like me. But for those who know the sound of a Goliath, David gives this reminder:

Focus on giants—you stumble.

Focus on God—your giants tumble.

Even though I have a new calendar, I refer to David and his struggles a lot in my life, especially now with my current weight loss journey. This giant has been bullying me far too long. It's time for me to test my sling shot skills I've been honing. I know the sound of his walk and the thunder of his voice. I am ready to hear the sound of him hitting the ground. All it takes is one small pebble, not five, and a lot of faith. I'm ready to face him. I've been here before ready for battle and have backed down so many times because I felt weak and afraid. It is so intimidating, but I'm now ready to face this giant head on. I'm trusting in God alone that my rubberband won't snap before I fire. I need to finish this. That giant is going down.

So, how big is your giant? Are you ready to take him down?

Enjoy the walk.

As a parent, I sometimes I think to myself, "Am I doing or saying the right thing?" or "Am I setting a good example?" At times I don't think I'm doing a good job as a parent. I know that no matter what, Annabelle loves me with all her heart and she thinks I am the moon hanger and her hero for life, but I sometimes still feel like I fall short.

There are times I know I am about to say the wrong thing yet I finish the sentence. I want so bad to be a perfect parent, but we make mistakes. I try to never start a sentence unless it is something that empowers her, teaches her a lesson or boosts her confidence. I know she is a fragile, hormone-changing 9-year-old yet I don't always think first. Sometimes what we need to tell them we know might hurt them (like "fish don't just 'disappear'...they sometimes get caught in the filter of your new aquarium and they can't get out, then they die). Whatever it is that you say to your kids make certain you try to lift them up and not unintentionally put them down. Never say something negative to make yourself look good or to feel better about being right. You can't take it back. And the guilt doesn't feel good either.

We recently saw the movie "Ramona and Beezus". I recommend it for anyone who sometimes puts everything but their family first. If you think that just working hard at your career, paying the bills, and buying nice stuff is what it's all about, try again. I have tried hard to improve. The other night Annabelle and I sat in her room and colored with crayons and talked all night long. Just us. We ate candy, laughed, watched TV shows I didn't even know she liked. It was nice to connect. I felt very fulfilled. 

Being a parent isn't easy. It's OK to live in the moment and enjoy them right now. Don't worry about what they may become or who they'll date (Lord, help me!) or how you'll ever get them motivated to get a job one day. Just live today. And don't forget to tell them you love them every chance you get.

"Stop living life for what's around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street." ---Grant L. Miller

My favorite season. Football.

I must admit that I haven't been a long time Saints fan, especially when they were the Ain'ts. I would love to have been a die hard fan, but I never had interest. I'd watch games here and there with my family, but I had my times of doubt and even seasons where I didn't watch them at all. My Dad was probably the biggest Saints fan hardly ever missing a game. There were times he couldn't sit during the 4th quarter and there were times when he'd go to bed during halftime. But he never doubted they'd win the Super Bowl one day. I'm glad he was able to watch them on the field in New Orleans before he died. What a celebration we had last year and he would have been just as proud as all of us around the nation.

You see, I have only been into the sport for just a short time having joined a fantasy football league just last year. I didn't have time or much interest in football until about 5 years ago. I never really was an athlete, aside from my agility and speed when eating at a buffet. I admire athletes, but I never had the desire to sweat that much or work that hard. I would rather sit inside and watch TV or just sit. My favorite sport to watch is either hockey or baseball, but that is another post.

I am looking forward to this season more than ever. It is only 7 short days until preseason even though regular season doesn't begin until September 9. Annabelle and I will be wearing our jerseys and not washing them as not to jinx the success they had last year. I love watching a game with her. I enjoy spending that time with her, just us, and sharing the love of the game with her. Now that I rarely miss a game, I consider myself a die hard fan. It is so fun and exciting to watch the home team and to watch her cheer them on. Win or lose, we'll always be Saints fans. And my Facebook name will always be Barrett WhoDat Broussard. Get used to it.

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WHO DAT?

"Walking into heaven Peyton Manning saw a mansion that had a sidewalk lined with black and gold. There were Saints flags lining the driveway. Each window had a fleur de lis embossed with solid gold. Even the trees had leaves that would turn black and gold when they'd fall.. Peyton asked St. Peter, "Why does Drew Brees get such a beautiful mansion when all I get is an ordinary house to spend eternity?" St. Peter replied, "That house doesn't belong to Drew, it belongs to God."

Get your party hats here.

I have been on a diet most of my adult life. At one time or another, I jumped off the weight loss wagon and decided to go back to basically eating whatever I wanted and in very large quantities. Most times it happened around the holidays. I don't think it was ever the foods I chose because I like vegetables and meat, but portion size was a big factor in my weight gain. Portion control was never something I practiced. My confession is that this is my 3rd time on Weight Watchers, but that is OK. I am determined to change for good.

I have, at one time, lost over 90 lbs. It took over two years, but it was worth it. I lost it by eating well-balanced meals and snacks and an exercise routine. Sadly, it took only 8 months to slowly put the weight back on. I managed to put most of it on while going through therapy to recover from a herniated disc. Thankfully, it did not require surgery, but procrastination took over and it never went away.

I found myself, years after my recovery, still using the excuse that I was overweight because of this injury. Some people would ask me, "How long ago was that?" I finally decided this year that there were no more excuses, after 5 long years. When the doctor puts you on blood pressure medicine and you are faced with a family history of diabetes, it should get to you. But it would never affect me. Right? Well, I am currently on blood pressure medicine and I have had elevated blood sugars which indicates very bad things. In the healthcare industry you see first-hand what these conditions are capable of doing to people. Especially people under 40 years of age. Obesity has no age limit. I am trying to control my weight in order to be free from this medicine, but most important, I want to see my grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. I know that it is possible!

I have so many reasons to live a life free of medicine and feeling healthier! So far, my wife and I have lost almost 30 lbs. together. I hope to see many more years of life on this earth. But I must admit....losing weight is hard work. And I hate that it is not easier. Because I'm still lazy. But I try to remember that it's not all about me.

Weight Loss Exercise:

"Get into a booth at a restaurant and if your stomach doesn't sneak out onto the table while you eat....get out the party hats because the weight loss party has begun. I recently celebrated this milestone in my journey."